Using Patent Databases and Finding Patents

This guide describes approaches to finding patent documents using freely available databases.  It also discusses reasons for using the patent literature.  If you do not find what you expected or would like more information, please contact me.

Also, you may be interested in this guide:

The PMA / Engineering Library is a designated Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC).  As part of that program, we help with patent and trademark information. Just a note that we are not attorneys nor is our location a branch of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

This guide has basic information and points to more.  (There is a lot to know.)  For assistance, please contact Larayne Dallas by phone or e-mail (see the side bar).  We don't have special on-site resources, so you don't need to come in person.